Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
“Hmmm,” Beck groaned.
Ava nudged her once more. “Santa came!”
“Okay, sweetie. I’m coming.” Beck sat up in bed and eased the covers back. “I’m going to need coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.”
“On it,” I muttered, still lying there with my eyes closed.
“Tom-Tom.” Ava gave my shoulder a push. “Get up! Santa came!”
“Yeah, yeah.” I opened my eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the excited expression on her little face. “I’m coming.”
With that, she darted out of the room, and the rest of the morning was a blur. We had our coffee, and she tore through her presents like there was no tomorrow. Big and Josie stopped by, and Ava showed them everything Santa had brought. We hung out and watched her play for a bit, and then they helped us clean up, and we all headed to the clubhouse.
The holidays were always a big deal at the club, but this year was bigger than ever. We’d had a hell of a year. Cotton’s new role had taken the club in a new direction, and we were both feared and respected by everyone in the state. It was a good feeling—one worth celebrating, and it was clear we were in for one hell of a celebration.
The clubhouse was completely decked out. Strings of lights were hanging from the rafters and cast a warm glow over the entire room. There were garlands of pine and red ribbon framing the bar and doorways, and there was a massive Christmas tree in the corner. Every single branch was loaded down with ornaments and tinsel, and there was a bright gold star teetering on the top.
The tables were covered in red-and-green checkered cloths, and the ol’ ladies had piled them high with food. There was a roasted turkey, ham, trays of deviled eggs, and so many sides you could barely see the table underneath. There were desserts, too—pies, cookies, even some peppermint bark that had already caught Ava’s eye.
I chuckled as I lowered her to the floor and said, “Go get you some.”
I didn’t have to say it twice.
She took the opportunity and ran towards the treats. Once she’d gotten herself a handful, she darted over to Big and Josie, proudly showing them what she’d gotten. Beck gave me a big smile as she said, “I’m going to go over and say hi to the girls.”
“Okay.” I gave her a quick kiss as I said, “I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”
I watched as she walked over to the girls and gave them each a hug. I was still eyeing her when Savage stepped up next to me and said, “Merry Christmas, brother.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Seconds later, Wrath and Q came over, and we all just stood there and watched as Maggie’s kids played swords with our pool sticks. Wrath shook his head as he muttered, “You know it’s only a matter of time before one of them loses an eye, right?”
“Awe, they’ll be alright,” I snickered. “And if not, patches are cool.”
“Yeah, you have a point.” Rooster looked to Savage as I said, “I’m not sure Londyn will agree.”
“You’re probably right.”
Savage handed Rooster his beer, then rushed after Dalton, taking his pool stick from his hand. He talked to him and the other kids for a moment, then sauntered back over to us. He took his beer back as he said, “That should be the end of that.”
“For the time being, anyway.” Rooster chuckled. “Give ‘em a minute. They’ll be into something else soon enough.”
Savage motioned his head over to the corner of the room where Grim was sitting. “He doesn’t look so good.”
“No, he doesn’t.” The usually fierce, unstoppable man was leaning back in his chair with his shoulders slouched and his eyes fixed on something in the distance. “He’s been there for hours, just tossing back one drink after the next.”
“It’s been a year since that shit went down with Beckett.” Rooster sighed. “You know it had to be bad if it’s still fucking with him now.”
“Yeah, the guilt is eatin’ him up.”
“But it’s not his guilt to carry.”
“Well, he’s carrying it all the same. Hell, he came all the way here just to try to escape it.”
“Doesn’t look like it’s working.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
It was tough seeing him like that, but I knew Jenna and her daughter were there. It was only a matter of time before they would come for him and get him sorted, so I left it alone and turned my attention over to the dartboard where Maggie’s kids were playing. I was still watching them when I told Rooster, “Nathan seems to be doing good. Hell, it looks like he’s grown two feet since the last time I’ve seen him, and that was just a couple of weeks ago.”
“Yeah, they’re both growing fast. No doubt about that. They both seemed so young when Maggie and I started dating. It’s hard to believe that in a couple of years, Nathan will be trying for his permit.”